Douglas Released From Leinster Contract : Irish Rugby | Official Website

Leinster has released former Wallabies lock Kane Douglas from his contract with immediate effect after reaching a “suitable agreement” following his request to return to Australia.

It’s unclear how much of the €250,000 compensation Leinster sought from the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) was eventually paid.

Douglas needs to be signed to a Super Rugby team to be eligible for Wallabies selection and reports in Australia state he is close to agreeing a two-year deal with the Queensland Reds.

An ARU spokesman reaffirmed the governing body’s stance against paying exit fees for overseas-based players and said the ARU did not contribute a cent towards bringing Douglas home.

But the 26-year-old is believed to be over his fitness issues and should provide stern second-row competition for the likes of Will Skelton, Rob Simmons, James Horwill and Dean Mumm, who are now in Argentina with the Wallabies squad ahead of the second Rugby Championship Test on Sunday morning (AEST).

“I didn’t think it would be this tough to be away from it all and I hope I can get back home real soon”, he said at the time. However, his campaign suffered a premature end due to a back injury, which required surgery to correct a disc problem.

“Leinster Rugby would like to wish Kane and Jennarly the best of luck as they return home”.

Douglas leaves the Irish province having made 20 appearances last season, both in the Guinness PRO12 and the European Rugby Champions Cup.